Is 3/8 plate too thin for table?

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I have a metal, craftsman workbench with a wood top in my garage and I'm going to swap the wood with a steel plate.The plate will be 2'x5' with a 10" overhang on the sides and 3" overhang on the front edge.I was planning on using a 3/8" plate which will run me $150, pre-cut to size. I'm not so concerned about the thickness for welding (only using a small 110 unit on occasion) as I am for the overhang. Will 3/8 be stiff enough or should I really spend the extra $50 on half inch?
Reply:My table top is 1/8".
Reply:Just don't go to doing alot of bending and such on the edge with the 10" overhang. That would be my only concern. My table top is 3' x 7' but I only have a 2" overhang on each side. Too bad you aren't closer to Nebraska, I have a piece of plate damn near the size you need... and for about 1/4 the cost. I got a whole 5x10 sheet of 3/8 for $150 bucks from the local metal yard... 10mins with a wire wheel, no more surface rust! I can still read the numbers on the metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by TSCGG13Just don't go to doing alot of bending and such on the edge with the 10" overhang. That would be my only concern. My table top is 3' x 7' but I only have a 2" overhang on each side. Too bad you aren't closer to Nebraska, I have a piece of plate damn near the size you need... and for about 1/4 the cost. I got a whole 5x10 sheet of 3/8 for $150 bucks from the local metal yard... 10mins with a wire wheel, no more surface rust! I can still read the numbers on the metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravest I'm going to swap the wood with a steel plate.I'm not so concerned about the thickness for welding (only using a small 110 unit on occasion) as I am for the overhang. Will 3/8 be stiff enough or should I really spend the extra $50 on half inch?
Reply:My 3/8 top has worked out great.. with a 4" overhang, I think with a 10" overhang and not a lot of betting the hell out of your work you should be ok.
Reply:My welding table is 4'x10' with a 12" of 3/8" plate. As you can probably guess, I don't use it to keep things flat. I also don't have a vise or anything used for heavy bending or pounding on it. It's just a welding table, and it serves its intended purpose perfectly for me.Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:if it's only $50 difference between 1/2" and 3/8" I'd go 1/2"There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:It's not very heavy. Maybe 30-50lbs with the drawers. I've stood on top of it with the current double MDF top and it didnt wobble or anything. (I'm 190 lbs)I don't think it would have any problem supporting the 1/2" definitelyNot the 3/8"This one isn't mine but I believe it's the same model.Last edited by BrooklynBravest; 12-16-2013 at 02:31 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestThis one isn't mine but I believe it's the same model.
Reply:3/8 is fine.  I have a 3/16 top on my table, and it works fine.Rather than  depend on the table top to hold things planar I use fixtures which can be shimmed to compensate for any uneven surface.Besides  You can have the flattest table top on the planet, even the UNIVERSE, and the crap will still be out of whack when you put the first bit of heat to it I don't care how much you clamp, tack, etc.............it will still pull when weldedTake the money you save, and buy something useful...............like clamps, clamps, and more clamps  And a heating rig to shrink stuff back to square.  Believe me!!"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I have a 4'x8' 1/4" table and it's pretty wavy.  I'm going rebuild it here soon.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestI have a metal, craftsman workbench with a wood top in my garage and I'm going to swap the wood with a steel plate.The plate will be 2'x5' with a 10" overhang on the sides and 3" overhang on the front edge.I was planning on using a 3/8" plate which will run me $150, pre-cut to size. I'm not so concerned about the thickness for welding (only using a small 110 unit on occasion) as I am for the overhang. Will 3/8 be stiff enough or should I really spend the extra $50 on half inch?
Reply:Just for mass and only $50, I would go with 1/2. Mass necessary if you don't bolt it down.  However,  3/8" will be fine depending on usage.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauSince your not likely to put much heat into it with the 110 MIG, you could leave the wood top on and screw the metal top to that. Then there would be no concern on whether it is stiff enough with the long overhang, and no need to spend an extra $50 for the 1/2" plate.My table top is 3/8".
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderJust for mass and only $50, I would go with 1/2. Mass necessary if you don't bolt it down.  However,  3/8" will be fine depending on usage.
Reply:Your table will handle the weight when static.  What will happen when you pull and twist?  I would hate to see it "sit". when metal fatigues around bolts.
Reply:Mines 3/8" and 3' x 5'.  No problems, but for $50 more, go 1/2"TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:In preparation for my new weldable bench top I finally upgrade my work area. The only outlets in my garage were on the opposite side and were 15amp.I ran a line to the breaker over the last couple nights and hooked up 3, 20amp outlets. Not bad I think for never doing solo electrical work. I had to cut that entire pegboard back on the bottom and side total pain.I should have snapped a better photo of the frame of the table while I was at it. It's basically 1/16" C channel steel which isn't too beefy... I want to build a full table but I doubt I wanna pay for the tube steel right now.
Reply:Looks good except you forgot to strap the conduit. Maximum 3 foot from the box and every 10 foot after that.if u use mineralac straps instead of one holes you won't have to offset because the stand up 1/2 inch.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughLooks good except you forgot to strap the conduit. Maximum 3 foot from the box and every 10 foot after that.if u use mineralac straps instead of one holes you won't have to offset because the stand up 1/2 inch.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestI ran a line to the breaker over the last couple nights and hooked up 3, 20amp outlets. Not bad I think for never doing solo electrical work. I had to cut that entire pegboard back on the bottom and side total pain.
Reply:1/2" is about overkill for the craftsman work bench your sitting it on.  I'd feel pretty confident your not making highly critical items or you would be in shop doing it for a living.  3/8 top is plenty for the average 110 mig guy who wants to make lawn ornaments book ends and coffee tables.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestIt's less than 3 feet between boxesIt's not to code, I only used the conduit by the bench so the wire is protected from workbench hazards.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughThats cool. But for future reference the box doesn't count as a strap, you would actually need one strap in between each box. Another note. Little migs  like urs and mine are very sensitive to voltage drop. Its always a good idea to up size to 10 away if its any distance away from the panel.  and i would go ahead and pick up, or make a 10 awg extension cord. It will help alot.Ended up spending $180 cash for a 3/8, 62" x 26" plateGlad I didn't do half inch can't believe how heavy it is. Getting the damn thing out of the truck solo when I got home was not fun.I hope the bottom frame supports it. Steel tubing wasn't too expensive ($65 24') but I'm not looking I spend an extra $100 at the moment.Any suggestions how to take the 1/4" bow out of it? I was thinking maybe parking my front tires on it and tacking a piece of tube to it?Last edited by BrooklynBravest; 12-18-2013 at 11:49 AM.
Reply:Ok no chance the frame I have is gonna cut it. It holds it, but if it wobbles it worries me.I think I am going to build a frame out of 1/8" by 1.5" steel tube. Would this be acceptable to hold it?This is my planAttachment 561911Attachment 561921Attachment 561931Last edited by BrooklynBravest; 12-18-2013 at 02:22 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by tackitI would buy 2 x 2 x1/8 and use 3" c channel between the legs at the top.....use 1 1/2 X 3/16 angle (flange down) below the top for an expanded metal shelf with a couple cross braces for added strength.  To get the bow out drag the frame over to the garage door's header, center the bow under the header,   get a small bottle jack and 4X4 long enough to reach from the top of the bottle jack to the header, place the jack on top of the bow and pump the jack until the bow is flattened out on the frame.  To hold the bow down you may have to weld a cross member under the bow and tack the bow to the cross member to hold it down, use small tacks around the top so you don't warp the top's flanges
Reply:I was planning on putting 3/16" plate on my new table but I plan to build a frame with square tubing and reinforcements about every foot.  I don't plan on pounding on the table to bend stuff, so I think it will be plenty thick.  I am thinking more of the overall weight of the table and 1/2" would be really heavy.  1/2" x 1 sq ft = 20.4 lb.  Your 2 x 5 ft would weigh over 200 lb. if I did my calcs correct.  I would think 3/8 would be plenty thick.  I'm not sure your small table can handle this much weight unless I am looking at it incorrectly.
Reply:Originally Posted by BipestuffI was planning on putting 3/16" plate on my new table but I plan to build a frame with square tubing and reinforcements about every foot.  I don't plan on pounding on the table to bend stuff, so I think it will be plenty thick.  I am thinking more of the overall weight of the table and 1/2" would be really heavy.  1/2" x 1 sq ft = 20.4 lb.  Your 2 x 5 ft would weigh over 200 lb. if I did my calcs correct.  I would think 3/8 would be plenty thick.  I'm not sure your small table can handle this much weight unless I am looking at it incorrectly.
Reply:I bit the bullet and bought the steel tubing was $95 for 32' of 1.5" by 1/8".Side note, this is my first actual project outside of learning to mig weld. Do I need to sand down all the ends with a flap disc to be welded or is a good wire wheeling from the grinder enough?And yes I know my picture looks like a stick figure it wasn't intentional.
Reply:Couple hours laterI forgot that the long cross member had to be 3" shorter and was too tired to cut it. Gonna have to do it tomorrow.How did I do on the welds? This is my first legitimate project outside of just practicing on scrap.
Reply:TSCGG13 where im Nebraska you from?
Reply:The table looks good.  I'm in the process of building mine and used 2x2 tubing but I could have easily gotten away with 1.5" instead.  I used 3/8 for the top also.
Reply:Welds look good.  Good enough to leave alone.